[Verse 1] Israel carried the ark into battle As though holy presence were charm and chain. Hophni and Phinehas stood beside it; Philistia struck, and the sons were slain. Thirty thousand fell in the field that day; The ark was captured and borne away. Eli heard the news, fell back from his seat; Ichabod named glory departing in defeat. [Refrain] Dagon fell face down at morning, Before the ark he could not stand. Raised again, he fell dismembered, Head and palms upon the land. No foreign temple held God's glory, No idol kept what armies won. Dagon fell before the presence; The living Lord was overcome by none. [Verse 2] Ashdod was smitten, then Gath, then Ekron; Terror moved wherever the ark was drawn. Seven months later a new cart rolled, Two milk cows bearing the chest and gold. They left their calves and went straight on, Lowing toward Bethshemesh at dawn. [Final Movement] The ark came home, yet holiness burned Against irreverence where men had turned. At Kirjath-jearim it rested long; Samuel called Israel from idols and wrong. At Ebenezer a stone was raised: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped," they praised. Dagon fell, but the covenant name Still called His people from idols and shame.